Former Directors

1959-1972

J. R. McEntyre, a retired band director, orchestra director, and music administrator, has served in Texas public schools for over forty years. At his retirement he was the administrator of music education in Odessa, Texas. Being recognized for excellence in teaching, leadership, and performance is nothing new for J. R. McEntyre. The west Texas oil patch native has spent only six years of his life outside Odessa; he attended college at Texas Tech, he was in the paratroopers during World War II, and his first teaching job was at San Benito, Texas. His contributions to the musical and cultural life in Odessa are legendary. J. R. returned to Odessa in 1950, serving as band director at Bowie Junior High. He also worked with Hall of Fame member, Robert Maddox, band director at Odessa High. Bonham Junior High was opened in 1955 with J. R. being that school’s first band director. In 1959, Permian High School opened its doors and the incredible tradition of musical excellence began. With J. R. At the helm, his orchestras and bands not only received sweepstakes awards each year that he taught, but they also received First Division ratings in each and every contest they entered. He has served as president of TMEA and TMAA.

Mr. McEntyre’s bands and orchestras have been named outstanding organizations at music festivals throughout the United States. His Permian High School Band, in its third year of existence, in 1961-1962, was selected Texas Honor Band. His marching band also appeared on nationwide television for NFL half-time performances. During his career, he was the guest conductor for many all-region bands as well as all-state bands.

He is past-president of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Conference and the Texas Chapter of the National Bandmasters Fraternity Phi Beta Mu; has served as Texas State Band Division Chairman and is a member of the American Bandmasters Association. He was named 1985 Texas Bandmaster of the Year, and in 1987 was honored as Texas Orchestra Director of the Year. In 1988, he received an Excellence in Community Service award in Education by the Heritage of Odessa Foundation. In 1995 an instrumental music building at Permian High School was named and dedicated to him.

Mr. McEntyre is co-author of six method books, all currently published by Southern Music Company. From 1969 through 1997, he served as Executive Secretary of UIL Music Region VI, and in that capacity was awarded the 1989 Outstanding Music Educator Award by the National Federation of Interscholastic Music Associations.

Mr. McEntyre passed away May 19th 2017 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife and his daughter.

1972-1989

Charles Nail began his music career as a young cornet player in Monahans, Texas and since that time has become a well-known music educator throughout the Southwestern part of the United States. He completed both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at West Texas State University and has done post graduate work in conducting at the University of Texas in Austin and at the University of North Texas in Denton.

During Mr. Nail’s seventeen year tenure as band and orchestra director at Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, the ensembles under his leadership performed at extraordinarily high levels, winning the Texas State Marching Band contest in 1982 and finishing second three other times and being selected five times for the finals competition in that event. The Permian Band was also selected as the Texas State Honor Band and was never awarded less than a superior rating in every contest and festival they entered during his time there. The Permian Orchestra was twice chosen as the Texas State Honor Orchestra and also was invited to perform at the prestigious Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic/Convention in 1985.

As an adjudicator and clinician, Mr. Nail has judged the Texas State Marching Contest, the Arizona State Marching contest and the Oklahoma State Marching Contest as well as the Contest of Champions in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He has served as an adjudicator at concert contests throughout the Southwest and has also evaluated young performers in the El Paso Symphony League Young Artists competition.

As a conductor, Mr. Nail has led many All-Region bands and orchestras in Texas and nationwide and has also been the conductor for several musical productions done in Odessa and Midland, Texas, including West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, South Pacific and most recently a joint production by the Midland Community Theater and the Midland-Odessa Symphony of Evita.

Mr. Nail is a Past-President of the Texas Music Educators Association and also served two years as the Vice-President and Orchestra Division Chairman of that organization. He is a Past-President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and he was chosen in 1992 to be a member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, a group of the most highly regarded band directors in colleges, universities and public schools from across the United States and Canada.

1989-1999

Kathy L. Fishburn received her degrees from Sherwood School of Music and West Texas State University. She has taught Orchestra in Texas for 47 years.  From 1979 to 1999, she taught in Odessa at Bonham Junior High and Permian High School. She recently retired as the Orchestra Director at Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Texas. Her orchestras are consistently Sweepstakes winners and are named “Best in Class” at many festivals throughout the United States. Kathy was the Executive Director of the Greater Southwest Music Festival.

Ms. Fishburn was a Past President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, the Texas Music Educators Association and was a Past President of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. As a member of TMAA, she judged Orchestra contests throughout Texas and its’ surrounding states. She was a Past President of the Texas Unit of the American String Teachers Association.

Ms. Fishburn has served as a conductor for many TMEA All-Region Orchestras on the junior high and high school levels, as well as All-State Orchestras. She has many published arrangements and compositions for string orchestra and was a member of the American Society of Composers and Arrangers.

Mrs. Fishburn passed away January 19, 2020 in Amarillo. She was 72.

1999-2008

David Golden was the esteemed Director of the Permian High School Orchestra and Satin Strings from 1999 to 2008. Mr. Golden left an indelible mark on the musical landscape, shaping the lives of countless students and transforming their passion for music into extraordinary achievements.

Mr. Golden is a gifted string bass player from a young age, he honed his skills under the guidance of renowned mentors Charles Nail and Kathy Fishburn and nurtured his innate talent, leading him to pursue a career dedicated to sharing his musical wisdom and inspiration with aspiring musicians.

In 1999, David Golden assumed the directorship of the Odessa Permian High School Orchestra and Satin Strings, ushering in an era of unparalleled growth and artistic excellence. Under his baton, the ensembles flourished, captivating audiences and winning 9 straight years of Sweepstakes awards.

Beyond the classroom and rehearsal hall, David Golden was known for his unwavering commitment to his students’ development. By cultivating an environment of mutual respect and encouragement, he not only elevated their musical abilities but also imparted invaluable life lessons that would resonate with them long after their time in his ensembles.

David Golden’s impact extended far beyond the confines of the Permian High School Orchestra and Satin Strings. Recognized as a dynamic and inspiring music educator, he was often invited to serve as a guest conductor and clinician at regional and national workshops, sharing his expertise and passion with a wider audience. His dedication to mentoring emerging talents and advocating for the importance of music education earned him the respect and admiration of his peers in the field.

After his departure from Odessa Permian High School in 2008, David Golden continued to make his mark in the world of music education and performance. His legacy lives on in the countless students he inspired, many of whom have gone on to pursue successful careers in music, owing their achievements to the profound influence of their mentor.

2015-2017

Kathryn Sabrsula is a native of Austin, Texas and proud to begin her teaching career at Permian High School. Originally a horn player for twelve years, Ms. Sabrsula discovered her love for orchestra through playing in symphony orchestras beginning at a young age. Her passion for orchestra truly sparked during her experience as part of the 2010 TMEA Honor Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Susan Williams at Westwood High School.

Ms. Sabrsula earned her Bachelor’s of Music Degree graduating Summa Cum Laude from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2015. While at UTA, she continued her studies in horn under Professors Heather Test and Gerry Wood. She is a founding member of the Sempre Blast Horn Quartet.

She strongly cultivated her passion for strings, studying violin under Dr. Martha Walvoord, viola and string pedagogy with Professor Catherine Forbes, cello under Dr. John Burton, bass under Dr. Jack Unzicker, and conducting under Dr. Clifton Evans. She completed her student teaching through Richardson ISD Orchestras in Spring 2015, where she was mentored by Erin Fox and Melissa Livings. Ms. Sabrsula is an active member of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association and Texas Music Educators Association.

Ms. Sabrsula was the Assistant Orchestra Director at Permian for 2 years.

2017-2021

Sally Pool just retired after her 28th year of teaching music and fourth year as assistant orchestra director at Permian High School. Her responsibilities included team teaching and assisting with the Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonic Orchestra, the Freshman Orchestra and Satin Strings.  Mrs. Pool also assisted the middle school orchestra programs.  Mrs. Pool is an active adjudicator and member of TMAA.

Mrs. Pool grew up in Odessa where she was introduced to orchestra at Dowling Elementary with James Caddell, continued in orchestra at Bonham Junior High with Kathy Fishburn then on to Permian High School where she participated in both orchestra and band under the directorship of Kathy Fishburn and Charles Nail. Mrs. Pool also studied piano privately under the guidance of Ronald C. Bennett for twelve years.  Mrs. Pool attended Odessa College and The University of Texas at the Permian Basin where she studied piano with Dr. Jack Hendrix.  She graduated with a BA in music and history with a certification to teach music education K-12.

Mrs. Pool began her teaching career by teaching 5 years at the elementary level. Then she taught general music and beginning strings at Gonzales Elementary and later added handbells, piano and beginning band when she accepted an assignment to teach at Milam Fine Arts Magnet School.

For the next 18 years, Mrs. Pool was the Director of Orchestras at Bonham Junior High.  Under the direction of Mrs. Pool the Bonham Orchestras consistently earned Superior ratings at the University Interscholastic League Concert and Sight Reading Contest as well as Solo and Ensemble Contests.  The Bonham Orchestra was also awarded “First Division”, “Best in Class” and “Best Overall” in various Director’s Choice Competitions.  In 2005-2006 school year Mrs. Pool was awarded the Region 18 Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Pool’s professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association and Texas Orchestra Directors Association.